Visit One of the Hottest Tourist Destinations in the World
It seems that almost everyone is on the move these days. Summertime spells vacation time for many people, especially families. International travel has become much more attractive now that everyone is digitally connected and can easily discover the best spots, prices, places to stay and eat, all through social media channels and online travel agencies.
The Asian travel market is hot. Not only are Asians seeking out the most unique out-of-the-box travel experiences, but foreigners are visiting Asia and discovering the plethora of memorable vacation experiences the continent has to offer. In Asia, one can find something to suit every taste, from gorgeous beaches to mega shopping centers to stunning historical temples.
Exciting Hotspots in Asia
Here are three exciting and fun Asian hotspots to get you started:
1. If you love history and are new to Asia, a great place to begin is Siem Reap in Cambodia. The city houses Angkor Wat, one of the largest religious complexes in the world, home to ancient temples and the Angkor Thom Royal City, which dates back to the 12th century. The city is easy to navigate and friendly to tourists. We did this trip with our kids when we were living in South East Asia and absolutely loved it. We also intermingled sightseeing with some volunteering, serving breakfast at a local Cambodian school which was a real highlight as we met so many enthusiastic young students.
2. Hanoi, the food capital of Vietnam, is a gorgeous blend of ancient and modern structures, with a palpable taste of the French and Chinese cultures that influenced it for many decades. Wander through the Old Quarter, and you will walk on meticulously maintained streets that are more than 1,000 years old. The city is filled with gorgeous waterways, parks, and more than 600 temples and pagodas to explore, all easily accessible by car or foot (although the city is dominated by scooters!). A highlight for us was taking long winding tuk tuk rides to explore the local alleys and eating the incredible food.
3. If getting close to both nature and culture is what you're looking for, consider Ubud in Bali. Ubud has some of the most incredible natural habitats that you can find, including Monkey Forest Park, where you can see numerous breeds of monkeys, as well as lush green rice terraces. The other secret of Ubud is that it has some of the best spas in all of Asia, where you can enjoy a famous Balinese massage. After exploring and relaxing, head out to Ubud’s lively art quarter, lined with trendy museums and galleries. We saw lots of greenery and monkeys on our visit there but actually never made it to the spas. I definitely want to go back and experience Ubud again!
